23/08/2020
So much this! Anyone who has worked with me knows how much I love 'trick training'. We have had numerous 6 week trick training courses where we have taught our dogs some really valuable skills. Plus, with most people I have worked with, when you call it 'trick training' it injects an extra level of fun that passes down to the dog in front of you- and you all enjoy training that little bit more 🥰
-I don’t believe in trick training.
-You don’t need to waste your time teaching your dogs tricks.
-There are only three things your dog has to learn in its life.
These are things I see all the time from other trainers, and to an extent I agree. Trick training is pointless...
..Except, well, pretty much every taught behaviour is a trick. Loose leading is technically a trick, recall is a trick. But let’s pretend we don’t count what are essentially life skills as tricks, then they are definitely a waste of time to train...
..Except if your dog doesn’t like having their paws handled when you are clipping their nails, asking for a paw could make a stressful experience a whole lot easier. If they still aren’t up for that, you can teach them the trick of filing their claws on a scratchboard. But that’s pretty niche, some dogs are fine having their nails cut, trick training won’t benefit all dogs...
..Except, do you know how many dogs aren’t confident enough to turn their backs on their owners? A surprising number. Teaching tricks like twist or spin and rolling over are amazing at building your dog’s trust, as it shows them that they can put themselves in a vulnerable position around you and all that happens is that they get lots of treats and reinforcement. Alright, so that’s like four or five tricks, surely that’s it? There aren’t any more that serve a purpose other than making our dogs look like circus animals...
..Except teaching proprioceptive tricks such as putting paws up on an object, walking backwards, rear paw targeting, pivoting, side stepping and figure of eights have shown to build muscle, keep dogs fit, engage all parts of their bodies and make them less likely to suffer from wear and tear or sudden injuries. They use different muscles than a dog would use just chasing a ball around a field, and are safer. Alright, that one seems to encompass all dogs, but other than those tricks and the ones mentioned above, trick training is wholly pointless...
..Except trick training saves lives. My dogs have been saved from being attacked because they know the trick “away”. I can restrain an aggressive dog while they are at a safe distance. Emergency stops are a trick that can stop dogs being run over. Middle is a trick that puts dogs in a safe space if you are in a dangerous situation. Assistance dogs are dogs that have been taught lots of beneficial tricks. One of my dogs has been taught to alert my deaf sister if an alarm is going off. You’ve guessed it, that’s trick training. It’s a combination of paw, retrieve and indicating. Deep pressure therapy is a trick. Retrieving pills is a trick. Opening doors is a trick. Detecting scent changes that indicate cancer is a trick. Alright, so trick training for younger dogs is pretty good, as it sets them up for life. But once they know those tricks, it’s pointless...
..Except training our dogs new tricks as they age is proven to help fend off doggy dementia. Teaching older dogs low-impact tricks keeps their brain (and body) active when they probably aren’t going to be able to go for long walks anymore. But trick training isn’t natural for our dogs...
..Except what is natural for our dogs? Sitting in a house all day? Modern domestic dogs are man-made, they aren’t natural. They were selectively bred to do jobs, so doing nothing will likely mean they are far less satiated than if we engage their brains and give them the “job” of learning tricks. Dogs that are unfulfilled and bored are more likely to display behaviours that owners aren’t too keen on.
Trick training isn’t just about ego and “look how my puppy can prance around like a show-pony,” and people who believe that is always the sole purpose of training these behaviours, to me demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of dog training.
Trick training helps strengthen the bond between dog and owner. It can serve as a routine premack principle to encourage your dog to take treats when they are in an arousing environment. It promotes engagement. It practises conditioning a marker cue. It gives owners an insight into how dogs actually think and neatens our training mechanics.
These things can all help with behaviour cases, reactivity cases, aggression cases. There’s not one hat for serious behaviour work and another for airy-fairy trick training. They are the same hat.
Teaching your dog to put their nose in a cup is a bridge to teaching muzzle training. Nose touches and chin rests can teach stationary behaviours so that vet visits are easier for anxious dogs. Teaching your dog to roll onto their back can help with x-rays and mean your dog doesn’t have to be sedated. Mouth touches mean you can check your dog’s teeth. Teaching your dog to jump into your arms is great for getting reactive dogs out of scary situations. Honestly, the list of uses is endless.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that trainers who are heavily punishment-based, unqualified and use scientifically outdated terminology tend to be the ones look down their noses at trick training. I think the truth is that a lot of them probably wouldn’t have the mechanical skills and know-how to train many tricks. Or at least in a way that would reap all the benefits mentioned above.
Yes, trick training on the surface looks pointless, but in reality if you are insightful and imaginative enough, training your dog to do tricks could change your lives for the better.
